Real estate headlines

Every day real estate is in the news. Here is a smattering of this week's headlines and experiences:

Mortgage rates: 30 year fixed rate drops below 5% again. Expected to stay low in the short term. The Florida Association of Realtors reports that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke "said Wednesday he doesn’t expect the central bank to sell its ...mortgage securities anytime soon, easing fears the move would raise borrowing costs for home buyers. "

This just in from the Florida Association of Realtors: "Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida rose 44 percent in fourth quarter 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. A total of 43,926 existing homes sold statewide in 4Q 2009; during the same period the year before, a total of 30,610 existing homes sold. It marks the sixth consecutive quarter that Florida has seen higher existing year-to-year home sales, according to the state association." Read more here: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=232582

With the number of sales so high, the inventory of homes and condos priced appropriately has declined. This should lead to a shift in the market and we already are seeing it turn into a buyer's market in some neighborhoods. Yes, some properties are receiving multiple offers. Location, location, location. It's important for buyers and sellers to be informed and up to date on market factors, what's happening with short sales and foreclosures and inventory in order to make informed decisions. Stay tuned or follow me here or on Twitter or call anytime to stay informed.


Reprinted with permission. Florida Realtors®. All rights reserved